Around the region

Wednesday

Feb 28, 2018 at 8:00 AMMar 1, 2018 at 12:32 PM

UPCOMING

Friday, March 2

Conservation Film Festival: March 2-4, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. For information: 978-465-5753; http://fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/. All film festival screenings are free and open to the public. Seating in the visitor center auditorium is limited to 85 and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Officials at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge have announced details about the fourth annual Conservation Film Festival. The event will feature a selection of award-winning, conservation-related films from across the world on the big screen in the visitor center auditorium. Films that will be screened during the festival focus on a range of important and timely conservation topics. This year’s films include “Sacred Cod,” “Gladesmen: The Last of the Sawgrass Cowboys,” “Walden,” “Chasing Coral,” “Little Striker,” “Saving Jamaica Bay” and “Arctic Wolf Pack.”

Skipper’s Alley at Belleville Roots: 8 p.m. March 2, Belleville Stage, 300 High St., Newburyport. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 day of show; and $10 ages 18 and younger. Tickets are available at Dyno Records, 1 Middle St., Newburyport; at the Belleville Congregational Church office from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and at the Belleville Thrift Shop on from 9 a.m.-noon Wednesdays and Saturdays. For online tickets: http://brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will be available at the door, subject to availability. For information on the concert or music series: bellevilleroots@gmail.com; http://bellevilleroots.org. For information on the band, visit http://skippersalley.ie. Belleville Roots Music presents Skipper’s Alley, a traditional Irish band, in concert. Skipper’s Alley is a traditional Irish band from Dublin, Ireland, who specializes in gritty, high-octane Irish dance tunes on uilleann pipes, whistles, fiddle, bodhran, bouzouki and flute with occasional detours into the dark somber melodies of the Irish song tradition.

Saturday, March 3

Yee-Haws and Ha-Has show: 8 p.m. March 3, 6:30 p.m. March 3, Blue Ocean Music Hall, 4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury. Cost: $28-31. For information: 978-462-5888; info@blueoceanhall.com; http://blueoceanhall.com. Join for the second annual Yee-Haws and Ha-Ha’s show at the Blue Ocean Music Hall, featuring comedian Paul D’Angelo and Nashville recording artist Lexi James, for a night of stand-up comedy and country music.

Sunday, March 4

The Halifax Collision: 2-3 p.m. March 4, Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St. On Dec. 6, 1917, during the height of the First World War, two ships trying to navigate Halifax Harbour collided resulting in the largest man-made explosion in the pre-atomic age. Essex Heritage Trustee David Read will recount the events leading up to this tragedy and the Massachusetts rescue effort. Relive the personal stories and riveting details of the weeks that followed, and learn about the important train to ever travel through Essex County. And learn why the citizens of Nova Scotia still send a special gift or appreciation each year.

Tuesday, March 6

Andover Garden Club — “Organic Gardening”: 10 a.m.-noon March 6, South Church, 41 Central St., Andover. Cost: $10. For information: http://andovergardenclub.org. Rita Wollmering, of The HERB FARMacy, will outline the basics of organic gardening, and share tips for growing high-quality plants in environmentally friendly ways. Her program will focus on plant selection and requirements, plant and soil care, and the harvesting and use of herbs and vegetables. This presentation will make “going green” a lot easier. The event begins with social time and refreshments, followed by a business meeting, then the lecture. The $10 donation requested for guests includes refreshments. The Andover Garden Club welcomes new members, and information about joining is available from membership chairs Liz Bell — 978-475-3021or belles810@gmail.com; and Kathy Hess — 978-470-0806; kmhess1@verizon.net.

Conversation Cafe — The Media: 7-8:30 p.m. March 6, Greater Newburyport Senior Center, 331 High St., Newburyport. For information or to RSVP: https://facebook.com/ConversationCafeNewburyport, or email conversationcafenwbypt@gmail.com. The event will be held in the Computer Room on the second floor. The Social Justice Committee of the Greater Newburyport Women in Action Huddle is offering a series of public conversations called Conversation Café of Greater Newburyport. The Cafés are designed to encourage safe discussions between many points of view. The purpose of the meeting is to help participants develop listening skills that can be used in their everyday lives with friends, family, and coworkers.

Wines from Italy’s: 7-9 p.m. March 6, Wine ConneXtion, 117 Main St., North Andover. Seat reservations are $100 each and the fee may be applied to any of the wines poured that evening. For information and reservations: 877-469-5025; smessina@wineconnextion.com. For information: http://wineconnextion.com. All guest must be ages 21 and up. Taste the wines from the vaults of some of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious estates. Hosted by Sam Messina and Ciro Pirone from Horizon Beverage, this is a reserved seating event, with limited quantities of the showcased wines for purchase.

Wednesday, March 7

Honoring Resistance and Refusals: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 7, Christ Church, 33 Central St., Andover. For information or to RSVP, call 978-775-1070. Bridges by EPOCH at Andover will host the complimentary presentation “Honoring Resistance and Refusals. Attendees can choose between two sessions at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Memory loss can cause a loved one to act stubborn or disagreeable. Learn how to better understand what loved ones are trying to communicate during this presentation led by Alicia Seaver, a certified memory impairment specialist and the director of Memory Care at Bridges by EPOCH.

Friday, March 9

Design Global Citizenship Curriculum workshop: 3-5:30 p.m. March 9, First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport. For information and registration: sandra@smallsolutionsbigideas.org. Registration is required. This program is free and open to the public. This workshop will open a path to creating more ways for youth to connect their lives and culture with their peers in other countries. The workshop is designed for teachers and youth leaders to find ways to integrate their existing activities into a global platform. The presentation will review some of the existing programs and online communities for building a global network of youth. Participants will review and introduce some of the existing platforms, websites, tools and resources.

Monte Carlo Night: 6 p.m. March 9, Newburyport Senior Center, 331 High St. For tickets and information: https://newburyportef.org/2483-2. The NEF Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament has expanded into Monte Carlo Night. Games begin at 7 p.m. The evening will feature table games and the Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament — both with professional dealers. New players are welcomed. Texas Hold’em Tournament Ticket entry is $125, which includes entrance into the tournament and casino chips for table games. Casino Games tickets are $75, which includes casino chips for table games only. Prizes will be awarded to the top two tournament finishers; casino game winnings will be exchanged for raffle tickets that can be used to win prizes. All tickets will include access to the event, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.

ONGOING

“It’s Getting Late” by Leah Grimaldi: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sundays and Mondays holidays, through March 4, Joppa Flats, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. For information: 978-462-9998; http://massaudubon.org. Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center presents an installation of contemporary artwork inspired by the beauty of Plum Island and the delicate global situation of all earthlings. Leah Grimaldi will be showing her cut-paper installation “It’s Getting Late.” Grimaldi is an artist who received her BFA from Pratt Institute and her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her work, involving drawing, painting, cutting and sewing, explores nature and emotion in the context of the current culture. She currently lives in Salem.

“Celebrate Good Times” by Jane Coder: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, through March 8. Carry Out Cafe & Catering, 155 State St., Newburyport. For information: https://facebook.com/events/2004583923098330/. Find a cure to the winter blues with the uplifting colors in the artwork by Jane Coder, now on display at Carry Out Cafe & Catering. The exhibition, titled “Celebrate Good Times,” features warm, vibrant and celebratory colors designed to contrast with the cold winter grays, whites and blacks outside. A reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Cafe. The public is invited to meet the artist, view the paintings and enjoy a custom beverage from the hot cocoa bar.

Dave Ramsey Financial Series: 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 5-April 2, Hope Community Church, 11 Hale St., Newburyport. There is a cost for materials per person or couple. For information: 978-463-4673; http://hopenewburyport.com/shorttermgroups. The series “Financial Peace University” is a nine-session, DVD-based course with radio host Dave Ramsey. Learn how to eliminate debt and stress with workable spending and investment plans that address all the critical issues, including budgeting, house purchases and medical emergencies.

“The Colors of New England” Photo Exhibit: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, through June, The Provident Bank, 66 Storey Ave., Newburyport. Local photographer Suzanne DeGeorge is exhibiting and selling her work at the Provident Bank as part of the bank’s “Lobby for the Arts” program, which enables local artists to display their work at the Bank’s branch locations. DeGeorge is known for her picturesque photos in and around Newburyport; her work has been used by various businesses in town. To view some of her work, visit http://sdegeorge.com or find her at Suzanne DeGeorge Photography on Facebook. The exhibit, titled “The Colors of New England,” runs from now through June during regular bank hours.

Earth Harmony Club: 9-11 a.m. Feb. 24-Oct. 27, New Harmony Farm, 186 High Road, Newbury. Cost: $225 per person; $350 per family. For information or registration: http://newharmonyfarm.com/garden-club. Erin Stack, farm manager of organic-certified New Harmony Farm, will be leading Earth Harmony Garden Club, geared to the home gardener who wants a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship and a holistic approach to their landscape and garden. The group will meet monthly. This will be an opportunity to learn permaculture design and principles, engaged observation, optimal nutrition, and biological and organic growing methods throughout the growing season. A mix of discussion, lecture and hands-on experience, gardeners will learn to grow robust vegetables, flowers, berries and herbs in an Earth-friendly way.

Youth writing workshop: 6-8 p.m. Mondays, Merrimack Valley Immigrant and Education Center, 439 S. Union St., Building 2, Level B, Lawrence. Cost: $10 per class. For information and registration: 978-683-7316; http:// mviec.org. Robert Largess will lead a youth writing workshop, during which students grades 6-10, will write short stories, poems, essays and reports and learn about stories from other cultures.

Lake Gardner Improvement Association meetings: 6:30 p.m. second Wednesday of each month, Code and Circuit Learning Lab, 36 Main St., Amesbury. The Lake Gardner Improvement Association is an active advocacy group dedicated to promoting and protecting the lake. The public is welcome to join, get involved and help plan upcoming events. For information: 373-388-3659; info@lgia.org.

Newburyport Choral Society ongoing rehearsals: 7:15-9:30 p.m. Mondays. Choral members range from high school to retirees joining together to perform concerts with professional orchestra and soloists. NCS presents two major choral concerts annually in December and May. For information: newburyportchoralsociety.org.

Tai Chi at the Library: 9:05-9:50 a.m. Fridays, Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St., Newburyport. Improve physical and mental health by joining the free weekly drop-in tai chi class at the Newburyport Public Library. Barb Tindall will lead the class in tai chi and qigong in the form of Wu Dang as taught by Xuan Yun. No experience is necessary. Wear comfortable clothing. The program is funded by the Friends of the Newburyport Public Library.

Rhythm N’ Roots Community Drum Circles: 7 p.m. first Friday of each month, People’s United Methodist Church, 64 Purchase St., Newburyport. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door. For information: 978-834-0367; http://imaginestudios.org. Presented by Imagine Studios. Participants will gather in a circle and share in the group rhythm making and song. Attendees are free to bring drums and percussion instruments, or they can play those provided. All ages and experiences are welcome. Refreshments are provided by The People’s Cafe.

Community Open Mic: 7 p.m. last Friday of each month, People’s United Methodist Church, 64 Purchase St., Newburyport. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door. For information: 978-834-0367; kristine@imaginestudios.org; http://imaginestudios.org. Presented by Imagine Studios. Musicians, poets and performers of all ages, genres and abilities are welcome. Sign-up begins at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments are provided by The People’s Cafe.

Drum circle with Mamadou Diop: 6-7 p.m. Sundays, Tannery Dance Place, 50 Water St., #34, Newburyport. For information: 978-465-1485. The community is invited to drum with master Senegalese drummer Mamadou Diop every Sunday at the Tannery Dance Place. These low cost drum classes offer spiritual song, African rhythms in a supportive learning community. These classes are offered on a drop in basis for $15 per class, $10 to bring your own drum.

Weekly ballroom dancing event: 7:30-11 p.m. Sundays, Relief’s In Function Hall, 1 Market St., Lawrence. For information: 781-452-7872. The night will feature live bands, a large wood dance floor, bar service and door prizes. Complimentary coffee and pastries will be served at 8:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome — singles or couples. Cost: $13. Free parking. This event is sponsored by the non-profit Come Alive After 5 singles group for more than 30 years.

Book Nook: Georgetown Peabody Library, 2 Maple St. The Book Nook is offering a wide selection of fiction and nonfiction volumes at modest prices. Browsers are welcome any time during regular library hours: 2-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The mini shop is located to the left of the circulation desk. Proceeds from the Book Nook, run by the Friends of the Georgetown Peabody Library, go toward the purchase of museum passes and provide funding for programming for children and young adults.